Outside the Beltway

Hardball politics or dirty pool?

Is the stalwart of Senate bipartisanship interested in governing?

Jeffrey Epstein’s death by suicide has led to many legitimate questions that should be investigated. It has also led to the rise of a number of baseless conspiracy theories.

There was no progress on resolving the government shutdown today, and little hope that anything will happen before late next week.

Whether as candidates or as voters, Democrats can thank women for many of their victories on Tuesday.

As expected, the midterm elections ended up being a split result that gives Democrats and Republicans alike reason to celebrate.

The 2018 midterms were mostly about Donald Trump. The results were idiosyncratic.

For better or worse, here are my projections for the midterm elections.

With less than forty-eight hours to go until voters head to the polls, the odds are pointing to a Democratic House and a Republican Senate.

With one week to go before Election Day, Democrats seem well-positioned to gain control of the House while Republicans seem likely to hold on to the Senate.

The Russians are interfering in our electoral system again, and they’re using our own hyperpartisanship to accomplish their goals.

With three weeks to go until Election Day, it’s looking like we’ll end up with a Congress divided between Democrats in the House and Republicans in the Senate.

The status of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation remains up in the air, as does the question of whether or not Christine Blasey Ford will appear for a hearing on Monday morning.

A look at the numbers behind the influx of women into electoral politics this year.

The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh is, effectively, assured. Democrats should be careful about how much further they push their opposition.

Day One of questions for Judge Brett Kavanaugh went about as you’d expect.

At least in these early days, Democrats appear to lack a coherent message, or a coherent strategy, to propel any effort to block Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

The Trump Administration’s new legal position on coverage for people with pre-existing conditions could pose political problems in the fall.

Republicans are at least a bit more confident that they’ll hold on to the Senate this year.

The Republican Governor of Missouri is resigning amid growing accusations related to an extramarital affair, blackmail, and sexual assault.

As expected, Gina Haspel was confirmed as C.I.A. Director yesterday despite her controversial record when it comes to torture.

With a third Democrat crossing the aisle to support her, Gina Haspel now has the votes she needs to become the next C.I.A. Director.

Not surprisingly, Mike Pompeo was confirmed as America’s 70th Secretary of State today. Now, the hard work begins.

For better or worse, Mike Pompeo will be confirmed as the 70th Secretary of State by the end of this week.

Despite facing headwinds in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mike Pompeo will probably be confirmed as the next Secretary of State. That’s unfortunate.

Kyrsten Sinema, the likely Democratic nominee for the Senate in Arizona, is leading all three of her potential Republican challengers. This could spell trouble for the GOP.

While final votes remain to be taken, the Federal Government shutdown effectively ended this afternoon with an overwhelming bipartisan vote to reopen the government, combined with a commitment from Republicans to consider a DACA bill over the next three weeks. What happens next, though, is entirely uncertain.

A seventh woman has come forward to accuse Senator Al Franken of having groped her as calls mount from his Democratic colleagues for him to resign.

The Senate passed a tax cut bill last night, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

The early numbers in the battle to control Congress look good for Democrats, but there are are a number of caveats to keep in mind.

A Los Angeles reporter says that Minnesota Senator Al Franken groped her and engaged in other inappropriate conduct during a 2006 USO tour.

For some reason, Senate Republicans want to attach a bad health care reform idea onto an already controversial tax reform bill.

Roy Moore’s victory in Alabama is raising fears of a wider battle in the Republican Party heading into 2018.

For some reason, Joe Lieberman is apparently the front-runner to replace James Comey at the F.B.I.

Just 1,436 days until Election Day 2020!

The Army Chief of Staff and Commandant of the Marine Corps told Congress that women should be required to register for the draft just like men are.

A leaked memo from a top Republican adviser tries to tell vulnerable Senate candidates how to deal with the possibility that they’ll be stuck with Trump on the top of the ticket.

A new poll shows Bernie Sanders gaining traction outside of New Hampshire for the first time.

Democrats like New York Senator Chuck Schumer could end up being the ones that scuttle the Iranian nuclear deal.

An adviser close to Hillary Clinton is talking about expanding the Electoral College map in 2016, but even without such an expansion the GOP faces an uphill battle.

Todd Akin continues to give Republicans headaches.

Just in time for the midterms, Todd Akin is back to remind voters of the GOP’s problems with female voters.

Hundreds of soldiers allegedly scammed a system that awarded bonuses for referring recruits.

A tense afternoon on Capitol Hill.

Passengers may soon be able to use approved electronic devices during all phases of airplane flights.

Senator Ted Cruz has alienated his colleagues in record time.